Policy S22: Hoo Peninsula

Probably not the most popular opinion, but the Hoo Peninsula is probably the most suitably placed to take more development. It has already has a railway line that can be upgraded to provide a mainline London connection (although not to connect it to the rest of Medway would be ridiculous). It also can accommodate much more development than the rest of Medway, whilst still maintaining more greenfield than the rest of Medway. And unlike places like lower Rainham and Capstone Valley, it also capacity to take additional infrastructure such as new roads. It really needs local treatment centre though.

Existing centres should be developed, not new centres created, otherwise thsi will lead to a loss of character for the villages on the Peninsula.

In response to Q28

No.

Please see CPRE Kent's specific comments on development at the Hoo Peninsular in response to the Council’s preferred spatial strategy at section 3.2 of the Plan.

While addressing the needs of existing residents is to be welcomed, this draft policy should not be seen as a green light accepting a development strategy which in its own right is unsustainable (in terms of identifying the Hoo Peninsula as an area of significant growth for housing).

Residents may well want better shopping facilities that are easily accessible (15-minute walk), but not at the expense of an environmentally damaging and unsustainably located large-scale housing development.

If the Council drew up a strategy that placed the environment at the heart of its sustainability objectives, there would be no requirement for infrastructure to support new growth on the Hoo Peninsula.

Paragraph 8.12.1 of the draft local plan confirms that a development strategy has not yet been finalised. If this is the case, it’s not clear why the first sentence contradicts the second by saying that there is potential for significant development on the Hoo Peninsula.

For any major growth to take place, it follows that it should be accompanied by the day-to-day services and facilities that new residents would need. However, to specifically identify the Hoo Peninsula as a location for new (shopping) centres undermines the consultation currently being undertaken whereby views are being sought on the Council’s preferred option for development. Nothing is yet set in stone.

For the purposes of this consultation, this policy should have been firmly caveated in terms of Hoo being one of many potential growth sites - and a similar policy drafted for the other potential locations across the district.

While CPRE welcomes proposals to address existing deficiencies to meets the needs of existing local residents, it cannot support the Council turning its back on these communities and siting such provision outside existing village centres (paragraph 8.2.1).

With the envisaged growth on the Hoo Peninsula, retail outlets are needed desperately. Medway Council should ensure that providers of residential developments should be made to incorporate this into their plans.

Will this policy protect the uniqueness of the Peninsula? Will its geography, geology, wildlife, agriculture etc. really be protected?

Please improve the roads but do not destroy the existing the existing landscape and villages.

Is any of that land being farmed?

It is manifest that the Hoo Peninsula has been asked to absorb a much greater number of the demanded new housing developments than other rural areas of Medway. This needs to be addressed urgently before the label Rural Wards becomes a misnomer.

Less development required current infrastructure cant handle current population. Needs to be kept as rural village not a town

there has been no infrstucture on the hoo peninsula since the start of buliding there, it needs to be put in place first before anymore building takes place. new roads public transport health centres etc

Before any growth is allowed around the Hoo area sufficient and sustainable infrastructure and services must be
In place before any development goes ahead.
Existing business must be taken into account when any new facilities are planned and not be harmful to
Local establish village centre business ful consultation should had with local business and needs of local residents

I live in Allhallows and agree that we lack adequate infrastructure. Given this admission, it's perplexing why there are plans to build more houses here. The area’s current infrastructure is insufficient and unsustainable for additional development. Instead of focusing on more housing, the Hoo Peninsula urgently needs infrastructure investments to support the existing community. Prioritising improvements to infrastructure will ensure that any future developments are sustainable and genuinely beneficial to residents.

Fully agree